Automatic lock slider for slide fasteners



July 25, 1961 A'. E. cARLlLE 2,993,253

AUTOMATIC LocK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FAsIENERs Filed July 16, 1958 l' I:\.|:\.E. s 3 /4 {"4 ,0 4 /0 a ALF/e@ E CARL/E BY C? Patented July 25, 1961 #ice 2,993,253 AUTGMATIC LUCK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENERS Alfred E. Carlile, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 16, 1958, Ser. No. 748,848 7 Claims. (Cl. 24-205.14)

The invention relates to sliders for slide fasteners, and more particularly, to an improved automatic lock slider therefor.

Automatic lock sliders are now in common use in connection with slide fasteners. Such sliders lock automatically in any position along the fastener stringers when the pull member is released and are unlocked automatically when the pull member is grasped to move the sl-ider in either an opening or closing direction along the fastener. Many types of automatic lock sliders have heretofore been suggested and used. Some have been satisfactory and others unsatisfactory. Most automatic lock sliders heretofore suggested and used were cumbersome and consisted of a multiplicity of parts which were difficult and expensive to fabricate and assemble.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved automatic lock slider for slide fasteners in which all of the above mentioned disadvantages are eliminated.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved automatic lock slider which is simple and inexpensive in its construction consisting of a minimum number of parts which can be easily fabricated and assembled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automatic lock slider which has a relatively flat appearance and a minimum over-all thickness and which, at the same time, is eicient and effective in its use.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specication, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is an enlarged fragmentary plan View of a slide fastener having the improved automatic lock slider of the present invention incorporated therewith,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the improved slider of my invention,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of FIG. l,

FIG. 4 is an end view of the slider as shown in FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking member removed from the slider body.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in F G. l, a conventional slide fastener consisting of a pair of Stringer tapes 2 having a series of spacedapart interlocking fastener elements 3 attached to the opposed edges thereof. There is positioned on the elements 3, the slider 4 in accordance with the present invention, for longitudinal movement therealong for engaging and disengaging the fastener elements in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Such a slider consists of a pair of spaced-apart wing portions 5 and 6 having marginal flanges 7 and integrally connected together at one end by a neck portion 8 so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel 9 therebetween through which the fastener elements 3 pass in the opening and closing movements of the slider.

In accordance with the present invention, there is arranged on the outer side of the wing portion 5, an elongated locking member 10 which is made preferably from relatively thin, dat spring metallic stock. There is l l formed in this locking member centrally thereof, a looplike'portion 12 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. In the upper end of this locking member 10, there is arranged an aperture 13 into and through which a post or stud-like projection 14 carried by the wing portion 5 of the slider extends for securing the locking member to the slider wing by means of the shoulder 15 carried by the headed portion 26 of this stud-like projection 14. On the opposite end of the locking member 10, there is arranged a linger-like locking prong 16 which extends into and through an aperture 17 adjacent the lower end of the wing 5 and into the slider channel 9, as more clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings.

There is also arranged on the outer side of the wing 5, centrally thereof and in alignment with the stud-like portion 14, a pair of spaced-apart post or stud-like portions 18 and 19 which extends into and through apertures 20 and 21, respectively, in the locking member 10 with one arranged to either side of the loop-like portion 12 thereof. Each of these stud-like portions 18 and 19 is undercut, as at 22 and 23, respectively, on the lower side thereof for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

There is provided a pull member 24 having a continuous trunnion portion 25 arranged at one end thereof which is disposed in the loop-like portion 12 of the locking member 10 so as to be positioned pivotally between the locking member and the outer side of the wing 5.

The locking member 10 is assembled on the wing 5 in the following manner. The locking member is placed on the slider wing with the stud-like portions 18 and 19 positioned in the respective apertures 20 and 21 in the locking member and the locking prong 16 positioned in the aperture 17. In such position, it will be seen that the upper end of the locking member rests on the upper stud-like portion 14. The locking member 10 is then moved upwardly in a longitudinal direction relative to the wing 5 so that the lower edges of the apertures 20 and 21 are disposed in the undercut portions 22 and 23, re-

spectively, of the respective stud-like portions 18 and 19.

This upward movement of the locking member 10 permits the stud-like portions 14 to pass into and through the aperture 13 in the upper end of the locking member. That is to say, the locking member 10 is sprung into position on the slider wing. The outer end of the stud-like portion 14 is then headed over, as at 26, to anchor securely the locking member to the wing 5 so that when the pull member 24 is manipulated to move the slider, the locking member will be flexed thereby and the locking prong will be moved out of the slider channel 9 a predetermined distance limited by the undercut surfaces 22 and 23 of the stud-like portions, 13 and 19, respectively.

H-aving described Ithe construction and assembly of my improved slider, it functions in the following manner. It will be understood that the locking member 10 normally assumes its locked position as more clearly shown in the full lines of FIG. 4 so that the locking prong 16 extends into the slider channel 9 and between a pair of adjacent fastener elements 3 positioned therein with the pull member 24 disposed substantially parallel to the wings and the fastener stringers.

When it is desired to fmove the slider along the fastener elements to open or close -the fastener in a well known manner, the pull member 24- is `grasped and moved to a position substantially perpendicular to the slider Wings, as shown in the broken lines of FIG. 4. In such position, it will be seen that the trunnion portion 25 of the pull member bears |against the inner side of the loop-like portion 12, thereby eXin-g the locking member against the inherent resilient action thereof and moves the locking prong 16 out of the channel 9 and out of engagement Wit-h the fastener elezrrrents 3 ther so as r3 to permit the slider Ito move freely therealong. When the pull member is released, it will be seen that the locking member will again return to its normal position against the slider win-g with the locking prong T16 thereof again positioned in the slider channel '9 between the fastener elements 3 positioned therein.

As a result of my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a simple and inexpensive automatic lock slider construction consisting of only three parts 4which can be easily and conveniently fabricated and `assembled without the need of lany expensive equipment. It is not only neat in its appearance, but possesses: fiat or low silhouette features which is a decided advantage in -certain applications of the fastener.

While I have shown and `described an embodiment which my vinvention m-ay assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and lthat other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as deiined in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. in `a lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising ya pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged therein intermediate the length thereof, means for securing one end of said llocking member to said wing portion -adjacent the neck portion of said slider body, means carried by said wing portion which cooperates with said locking member between said yloop-like portion and said iirst mentioned means for permitting and limiting the outward movement of said locking mem-ber, another means carried by said wing portion on the opposite side of said loop-like 4portion which cooperates with said locking member for permitting and limiting the outward movement of said locking member, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a pull member having a trunnion `portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the loop-like portion of said locking member between the same and said wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider,

2. in a lock slider for slide fasteners 4of the class described, a slider body comprising a pair o-f spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide `substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged therein intermediate the length thereof, la stud-like portion arranged on the outer side of said wing portion adjacent the neck portion of said slider body, said locking member having apenture arranged therein adjacent one end thereof into and through which said stud-'like portion extends for securing said locking member to said wing portion, means icarried by said wing portion which cooperates with said lockinfr member between said looplike portion and said stud-like portion for permitting and limiting the outward movement of said locking member, another means `carried by rsaid loop-like portion on the opposite side of said loop-like portion which cooperates with said locking member for permitting and Ilimiting the outward movement of said locking member, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a puli member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the looplike portion of said locking member between the same andsaid wing portion `for manipulating the locking member `and said slider.

3. ln a lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising ya pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as Ito provide `substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged therein intermediate the `length thereof, means Afor securing one end `of said locking member to said wing portion ladjacent the neck portion of said slider body, a pair of spaced-'apart stud-like portions arranged centrally on the outer side of said wing portion substantially in alignment with said last mentioned means with one arranged to either side `o'l" said loop-like portion, said locking member having a pair of spaced-apart apertures the-rein into and through which the respective stud-like portions extend, each of said last mention-ed stud-like portions being yundercut on one side thereof, in which undercuts the edges of the respective apertures Iin said ilocking member are disposed so as to permit limited movement of the locking member relative to said wing portion about said first mentioned means, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a pull member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the loop-like portion of said locking member between the same and said wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider.

4. In a `lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable looking member mounted on one of said wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged there in intermediate the length thereof, means for securing one end of said locking member to said wing portion adjacent the neck portion thereof, a pair of spaced-apart studlike portions arranged centrally of the outer side `o-f said wing portion substantially in alignment with said means with one arranged t@ either side of said loop-like portion, said locking member having a pair of spaced-apart apertures therein into and through which the respective last mentioned stud-like portions extend, means carried by said last mentioned stud-like portions which co-opcrates with said locking member for limiting the outward movement thereof, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a pull member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the loop-like portion of said locking member between the same and said Wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider.

5. In a lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said Wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged therein intermediate the length thereof, a stud-like portion arranged on the outer side of said wing portion adjacent the neck portion thereof, said locking member having an aperture arranged therein adjacent one end thereof into and through which said stud-like portion extends for securing said locking member to said wing portion, a pair of spaced-apart stud-like portions arranged centrally of the outer side of said wing portion substantially in alignment with said irst mentioned stud-like portion with one arranged to either side of said looplike portion, said locking member having a pair of spacedapart apertures therein into and through which the respective last mentioned stud-like portions extend, means carried by said last mentioned stud-like portions for limiting the outward movement of said locking member, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, anda pull member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the loop-like portion vof said locking member between the same and -said wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider.

6. In a lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said wing portions, a stud-like portion arranged on the outer side of said wing portion adjacent the neck portion thereof, said locking member having an aperture arranged therein adjacent one end thereof into and through which said stud-like portion extends for securing said locking member to said wing portion, a pair of spaced-'apart studlike portions arranged centrally of the outer side of said Wing portion substantially in alignment With said rst mentioned stud-like portion, said locking member having a pair of spaced-apart apertures therein into and through which the respective last mentioned stud-like portions extend, each of said last mentioned stud-like portions being undercut on one side thereof, in which undercuts the edges of the respective apertures in said locking member are disposed, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a pull member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned between the locking member and said wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider.

7. In a lock slider for slide fasteners of the class described, a slider body comprising a pair of spaced-apart wing portions connected at one end by a neck portion so as to provide substantially a Y-shaped channel therebetween, a yieldable locking member mounted on one of said wing portions having a loop-like portion arranged therein intermediate the length thereof, a stud-like portion arranged on the outer side of said wing portion adjacent the neck portion thereof, said locking member having an aperture arranged therein adjacent one end Vthereof into and through which said stud-like portion extends for securing said locking member to said wing portion, a pair of spaced-apart stud-like portions arranged centrally of the outer side of said wing portion substantially in alignment with said first mentioned stud-like portion with one arranged to either side of said loop-like portion, said locking member having a pair of spacedapart apertures therein into and through which the respective last mentioned stud-like portions extend, each of said last mentioned stud-like portions being undercut on one side thereof, in which underouts the edges of the respective apertures in said locking member are disposed, a locking prong arranged on the other end of said locking member which is adapted to extend into said slider channel, and a pull member having a trunnion portion arranged at one end thereof which is positioned in the loop-like portion of said locking member between the same and said wing portion for manipulating the locking member and said slider.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,373,523 Winterhalter Apr. 10, 1945 2,799,070 Weber July 16, 1957 2,913,795 Brown Nov. 24, 1959 

